A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were called to a modern block of flats in Empire Square at about 8.15am.

He added: "Inside the premises officers discovered the bodies of two children - a girl aged 10 and a boy aged eight. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Next of kin have been informed. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted in due course.

"The incident is being investigated by officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Command."

Say is expected to appear at the court by video link.

The suspect is divorced from the mother of the two children and was looking after them over the weekend.

It is understood he is accused of killing the youngsters before calling his ex-partner and telling her what he had done. She dialled 999 and police raced to the flat where they were met by the horrific scene. Say was arrested in the flat.